Change speed mechanism



Dec. 2, 1952 R. R. TREXLER CHANGE SPED MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet l Fil-d oct. 11, 1945 U EWE 6 Sheets--Sheeil 2 R. R. TREXLER CHANGE SPEED MECHANISM Dec. 2; 1952 Filed Oct. 11. 1943 S INVENTOR.

DeC- 2, 1952 R. R. TREXLER CHANGE SPEED MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheekl 3 Filed Oct. 1l. 1945 SNN ww R. R. TREXLER i CHANGE SPEED MECHANISM n Dec. 2, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. l1, 1945 INVENTOR. v Q'ca rfd Pd/@77 Dec. 2, 1952 R. R. TRI-:XLER

CHANGE SPEED MECHANISM Filed 00T.. ll, 1945 Dec. 2, 1952 R. R. TREXLER i 2,619,849 CHANGE SPEED MECHANISM Filed oct. 11, 194s' E e sheets-sheet e M41/ I 1./ 1| l L 17517573 y" 1.59 163 16g 30 l/ ,Il En e s '.7 I f 2l :[37 l; 16g- Engg zal j; ,I 15%@ z 152 4 5157 \r\ 170 jgl/ f-/ V 145 5 @//54 l 5 HH -f 257 J6) 53.559 Z Y #45 i *Y l-Ma.

INVENToR. ztffd//z/kz @.-gmW/M Patented Dec. 2, 1952 UNITED STATES PAT ENT F F ICE CHANGE SPEED MEGHANISM' Richard R. T-rexler, Evanston.. Ill.

Application Octo'ber'l'l, 1943, Seriali No. 505,814

' (01.. '14g-ssi);

ll Claims.v Y 1..

This invention rel'ateslto'y computi-ng and regis``v tering.; mechanisms, andi pari'.iz'sularly47V toVL such4 mechanisms as adapted forY use Withf commodity dispensing apparatus` It' isanf object of the invention to provide acomput'ng: an'd registering mechanism off the type dened which is. ofsimpliied constructioniV and? improved oper/ating cliaract'e'ristics.

More. specifically-f' stated. one of tli'ei objects!v ot theihventi'onf. is to;` provide an irriprovedE and'. sim-l plifiedi variator: or.' change speed gearing struc-lture n a mechanism of the type; definedz.

Another` object ot thef; inventionh is tof provide improved. means for` adjusting tl'iely variator or.' changespeed. mechanism. wherebyv calculations; and. computations may be'A made at different4 selected; values; and* ratiosa.

Still. another' object 1 off the invention. isl tov` prol-A videianc improved, indicator structure" in ai mecha-- nismi` of' thec typo3 dened..

Various dther: objects, advantages and. fea--l tures of theinventioniwilll be: apparent; from. thei following` specication: wheni takeni in` connection'f withrA th'ef accompanying drawingsg. wherein'. cer-. tain: preerredsembodimentsi are seti forth for purposesoillustrationf..

In.4 thef dnawinga whereiir like; referencea nu"- meral's refer to: like parts; throughout:

Fig; 1:. iis:v a` generan assembly: view; offi a dis.. pensing apparatus-,.specifically fur:dispensing.liqi-lv uids.r` such as; Vgasoline:` or: thef like; including; a.. computing andregistering: mechanism. construc-v ed in accordancewith and embodyingtlnee:prin ciples; of the: invention;

Fig.. 2f is.; ai. partial verticali sectional View.' oi; the? apparatus ofi Fig. 1, taken as indicated by: theline. 2 2- thereof;

Fig.. 3:. is.. a. trans-,verse sectionalf View through; the. apparatus; taken: as; indicated byv the' line. 3,-3- of-.Fig 1.;,.

Fig:I 4f israadeta-il vieWa, on4 anienlarged-f scale,` oir a. ball. clutch structureV forming; a.. p art; of the. mechanism; and taken assindicatedi by thelincf 4-4` of Fig. 1; @A

Eig, 5 a, sectionalview.. through the appara, t'us.on an` enlarged scale.. and: takenA along the.` irregular'v sectionliie-of. Fig, 3; l

Figi. 6j. is. al. detail'. perspective View. of. the. cone: depressing., or. disengagingF lever., and. associated: parte v Fi'g 'T illustrates a.. cone. depressingv lever. are. rangement', of." modified, form,

Figi. 8` isi ai horizontal sectional; view. through. tleapparatu's, on, the.. scale. ofliig; 5 and' taken. asinclcratedL by theline, 8 8 .ofEig.l2";,

Fig: 9"is a sectional" view through the differen- 2,-. tial" mechanism forming. a part; of: thelstructure;. on. ai. furtherv enlarged. scale, andv taken asv indie: cated by the line 9-91 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view. through the.- diierential and associated structures,. on .the scale of Fig; 9,. and taken asf indicated.r by-Y thei brokenline Ill- Hl of.Fig.. 8;

Figs. 11` andi 12 illustrate; modified?. formsof cone members Fig. 13. is a.v detail sectional.. View` on. the! line |3-I3 of Fig. 8, illustrating: a part ofthe drive? gearing driven: by. the` cone.;`

Fig.. 14 is a transversesectionalLvieWv through they mechanism of. Fig... 13, on the line: 141-14? thereof;l

Fig.. 15' a. detailed sectionall. viewv of..y ai, part; of? theiadjustmentmechanism.for the cone driverr gearingand' takenas indicated by theline 1,5--Iz5 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 16 isza transverse; sectional view' through the mechanismv of: Fig. 15 onfl the line I6--l6 thereof;

Fig. 1.7. isa,l detailv view' of a partpf the indi-- cator and` variator` adjustmentvw struct1.1re,.,takeny as. indicated. bythe; linel 11g-|15 of; Fig'.` 1;.

Fig'. 18. is. an horizontal sectionalivievv oftheindicatorstructure taken as indicated by thelinef |f8.|8.0f Fig. 2;;

Fig; 1'9 is a Vertical sectional viewof therindi- Fig. 20K-isfaxdetailed1front or face ViewA of one: setl of. indicators,- taken asv indicated by. the lineAV 20e-'20.o`fFig. 18;;and

Fig. 21 isa detail'view of one ofthe detent--p o .-=V sitioning mechanisms associated with theindir t cators, and taken-.as indicatedbythe line' 2-1-215@ f Fig. 1.a' dispensing apparatus-for-gasolineporthe like is*illustratedcomprisingjanupstandinghous ing 1.0 adapted; toA` bel'a'ssoei'at'ed with', an' undef# ground storagetank llvcontaininga supply ofthe lililiitjbeidlspen'sed, .as idicatd'by tlelnimer'al l`2`. A pipe l.l'eads*fromV the underground tank' tb" a pump I4 forming a part of the dispensing apparatus. As shown, the pump is adapted to be driven from an electric motor I5 by means of a drive shaft i5 and associated bevel gearing connections. A switch Il is provided for controlling the energization of the electric motor, which switch is adapted to be actuated from a rod I8 connected to the support hook I9 for the dispensing nozzle 2B.

The pump I4 is adapted to propel the dispensed gasoline through the outlet dispensing line 2|, which includes an air eliminator 22, a meter or measuring device 23, a sight gauge 24, and a flexible dispensing hose 25, the end of which carries the nozzle 20. In operation, as the nozzle is removed from its support i9 and the electric motor energized, the pump i4 will operate to propel the gasoline through the dispensing line upon the opening of the usual no..- zle valve associated with the dispensing nozzle. The foregoing structure may be of any suitable type and forms no part of the present invention except insofar as it enters into the general combination.

In accordance with the present invention, the

meter shaft 30, which is driven in proportion to the volume of liquid dispensed, drives a pair of gears 3| and 32 associated respectively with a variator drive shaft 33 and a volume register drive shaft 34. A ball clutch structure 35 may be associated with the meter shaft to prevent the reverse rotation thereof. Such ball clutch may be of conventional construction, and as illustrated in Fig. 4, comprises a disc 35 xed to the meter shaft 35 and rotatable within a stationary frame housing 37. Spring pressed clutch balls 3S and 39 are provided for preventing reverse rotation of the disc 36 and the meter shaft, as will be understood.

The volume register drive shaft 34 extends upwardly to suitable register mechanism, as indicated in Fig. l. As indicated, the shaft 34 drives the volume register` 4I by suitable means such as bevel gearing 42 and a chain drive 43.

The variator drive shaft 33 is adapted to drive computing mechanism disposed within a casing, as indicated at 44 in Fig. 1, the details of which will be later described. The output drive shaft 45 from this computing mechanism is adapted by suitable means, such as bevel gearing 46 and a chain drive 41, to operate a cost register 4B. It is contemplated that the computing mechanism within the casing 44 shall be-settable and variable in accordance with the unit cost of the gasoline dispensed. Accordingly, it will be seen that the cost register 48 will indicate the total cost of the dispensed gasoline, whereas the volume register 4| will indicate the corresponding volume thereof. A unit price indicator 49 is associated with the computing mechanism in the casing 44, for indicating the unit price or setting of the variator.

As best shown in Fig. 2, it is contemplated that the Volume and cost registers may be duplicated upon opposite faces of the housing. These registers may be of any suitable construction, including suitable transfer mechanism, reset mechanism, etc. The details of the registers 4| and 48, and the specific manner in which they are driven from their drive shafts 34 and 45 form no part of the present invention, except insofar as they enter into the combination shown.

Referring more specifically to Fig. 5, it will be seen that the variator drive shaft 33'is adapted to drive a sleeve fitting 5|, the ttingbeing constrained for rotation with the shaft 33, but being adapted for vertical shifting with respect to the shaft by means of a key and slot connection, as indicated at 52. As best shown in Figs. 5 and 8, the fitting 5| is provided with a plurality of radially extending spokes 53, on the end of which a ring member 54 is formed. A sheet metal cone 55 is secured at its lower end, as by welding, to the ring 54, the upper end of ,the` sheet metal cone being shaped, as best shown at 56 in Fig. 10, for bearing engagement upon the shaft 33. The drive shaft 33 has bearing engagement at its lower end with a frame member 51, Fig. 5, forming a part of the casing 44, and at its upper end with a bearing member 58, Figs. 8 and 10, carried by a cross brace 53, also formed as part of the frame and casing structure.

A compression spring 6| bears at its upper end against the formed bea-ring portion 55 of the sheet metal `cone and at its lower end against a collar 52 secured to the drive shaft 33. This compression spring normally urges the fitting 5| and its attached cone member 55 upwardly into the position shown in Figs. 5 and 10, the upper end 53 of the fitting being in bearing engagement against the collar 6'2. Means is provided, however, for shifting the cone and fitting slightly downwardly with respect Vto the shaft 33, and against the action of the spring 6 for the purpose of disengaging the cone from the gears driven thereby, for a purpose later to be more specifically described.

To eifect this shifting, the fitting 5| is provided at its lower portion with lan annular channel 65, Fig. 5. A shifting or disengaging lever 65 is pivoted, as indicated at 67, to the frame 57, the end of the lever extending outwardly, as best indicated in Fig. 6, to provide a handle portion 65a. The lever 6B is provided with a central rineT like portion 63 having a pair 'of inwardly projecting pins 59, which :pins a-re engageable with the annular groove or channel 65 in the tting 5|. It will be seen that as the handle 66a is manually depressed or pushed downwardly, the fitting 5| and associated cone 55 will be correspondingly depressed a given distance. As :also indicated in Fig. 6, the front plate member 10, forming a part of the casing 44, is provided with a slot 1|, the `lower end of which is widened, as indicated at 12, whereby the handle 66a may be slightly shifted laterally afterv being depressed to lock the cone downwardly 4against the action of the compressi-on spring 6|.

The cone member 55 is provided with a series of coaxial rows of indentations '|5, ,forming gear teeth, there being forty-seven yrows of such indentations or gear teeth inthe particular embodiment shown. The smallest and largest'rows bear the gear yratio of 4 to 50, and the intermediate rows are of uniform progressively increasing size or gear ratios. In the particular embodiment shown, the smallest row of indentations on the cone provides sixteen teeth and the largest row two hundred teeth.

A pair of cone driven shafts 11 :and 18 are mounted for rotation in juxtaposition to the cone, the shafts being disposed parallel with the working surface of the cone. In accordance with the invention, and as shown, the cone working surface and the shafts and 'I8 :are disposed at an angle of 45 with respect to the shaft 33. In horizontal projection, the shafts are disposed relative to each other at an angle of as best shown in Figs. 3 and 8. The shafts are supported for rotation at their lower ends by means of a gemme pair of fram-e. brackets 5.1'ot,.1i?ig..5A forming a` part; of,theeframe-structure-1., and: at'. their upper ends:

by; a bracket 58s,. Fig. 10,. forming a. partofv the frame bracket 5.8. Shaftv 18, isadaptedto effect theicent calculations, whereasv shaft 11- is adapt exito; effect', the tenths of' cents calculations. as.

willrlater. more-.specifically appear..

. best shown. in. Figs.. 1.3 and 14', shaft. 1f1i's; provided-.mth .az slot; or spline; 8.0 extending: along. its-length. whereby." the shaft. supp orts; a; cone en- I gaging; gear 8.15, said. gear being adapted'. to drive.

theshaft. 1:1, but being; slidable longitudinally thereofz. Means. is provided for positioning they For: this; purposeg. the-gear 8| hasy-a; hub 82.. fixed; thereto. which: hub.. is provided with; an; annular channel. The hub: isi also:`

gea-r; 85|; longitudinally of the. shaft.

or' groove; asi indicatedV at 83. provided; with aA key; portion, 8.4 adapted for slidable.: engagement within; thei shaftv spline; notch. 80;... A. threaded sleeve 85: loosely embraces; the;

shaft 11, this sleeve having fixed onits upper-end a; fittingl member 86 provided with a pair of: ears 811and98, having-pins 89 projected into the. annul'ar'hubA groove 83. Itwil-l be seen that. by-reasoniof .the connection =provided,.movements im partedV to; the; threaded sleeve 8.5,. longitudinally` oi' the. shaft 11,. arev correspondingly transmitted: tn theigean '81. to; eect the. longitudinal. position ing thereofl At; the, same time thegear 8:| and shaft 1.1 are' .rotatable as a unitY while. thesleevefrremains,non'frotatable or fixed..

The, means'for effecting thev longitudinal posif-v tioningo the. threaded sleeve 8.5,.to thereby. ef-

fect; the. longitudinal positioning.` ofthe gear 81,V

arerbest. shown in Figs. 5; 8, 15V and 16. The

sleeve85; which. is providedI with ascrew threadl aszindcated at 90, extending substantially along. its entire;- 1ength,. is. also provided with a longitildinally extend-ingv spline-or notch.9.|. A collar 92;.xed'to. rthe frame; bracket 51a by means of. a setscrew 93, isz provided` withra projection 9.4-

extending into. the, sleeve notch. 9|, wherebyto preventfrotation of the. sleevein all of; its.longi tudinally adjusted' positions. threaded'. engagement with the screw thread 90.of the-sleeve, saidgear being rotatable within the framezbracket'51a., and held against longitudinal movement with respect to the frame by means of ai collar. 96 fixed to the'nut gear by ya set screwA 91... The lower end of the shaft 11 -is rotatably supported by the sleeve 85 and the-nutgean as shown..

To effect its operation, the rotatable nut gear 95: is in. engagement with'a bevel gear 99; Figs..5 andk 8, fixed to a bracket journaled stub shaft |00, which stub shaft also has fixed to it a bevelv gear |0| having meshing engagement with a bevel gear |02 fixed on the end of anadjustment.

shaft |03. Shaft |03, which is also journaled in a portion of the frame 51, extends throughk the frame and through the casing face plate 10, andv has fixed; on its forward end a manually operableadjustment knob |04, as best shown in Fig.

17. It will be seen that by reason of the connec tionsi thus provided, as the knob or handle |04 is-manually rotated,vproportional incrementsv of` rotation will be imparted to the nut gear 9.5

throughv the gearing; 99, |.0|, |02; and rotationof.t thenut gear inturn imparts longitudinal increments of movementA to the non-rotatable sleeve 85. by meansof the threaded connection between the sleeve Yand the nut gear.

A. spring braking disc |06, Fig, 8; is mounted on. the shaft. |03, and bears between acollar |01.

pinned to thev shaft'and; a. face; surface 5:15 on;

A nut gear 95 hasA sleeve.V is; provided. for longitudinally po'sif-IV tioning; the.gear; |.;|.0,l, the connectionzbetweenrther sleeve. andi: gear` being.; similar: to: that previously describedbetween .the sleeve and thef. gear 852.. The longitudinal; positioningV of; the nonrotatablesleeve. i'seffectedby means offanutgear |12,

which gear is associated'.withtheisleeve' inA the:- mannen previously described'.v in reference to:y the: nut. gear 95.. Gear; |152 meshes With: and'. is drivwhich. stubshaft; alsot has fixed; to it a spur gear |1155, Figs.. 5.. and 8, adapted to: mesh with and'` be driven` by a. spur gear H6. This gear |-|6 also has` meshed engagement withV a gear.` |511., the; latter'beingxed: on theY endlofl a shaft' ||8 journaled. in the. frame. 5:1? and extendingl li'ori-- zonta'lly" and; angularly under the cone 55, as. bestshowninEigiS. The other end off the shaft; |18: carries a bevel gear ||9 meshing.A witha'- bevel gear |20` carried on. one end'A of a shaft.

|2|. The; other end:` ofi thei shaft.. |2i| carries a. spur, gear.: I2 2: whichimeshes with and. is; adapted? to be. driven'. from. a. spur gear |23l carried on. the. end.. of? an adjustment. shaft |243. which shaft extends through theframe 51:V andthe face plate 1.0 and carries oni its. end. amanual adustment.

knob |25`,. similar inY structure. to-` the knob |fll4-l previously described. It will be. seen, that'- by reasonof the.` connections provided, as' the shaft |24: is.: rotated. by means. offthek manualadjust@ ment knob" |25, rotation willl be imparted tothe nut gear' H2: by means of thet gearing connecf tion-z between the parts-.r Af. spring frictiondisc.- |.2'6,. Eig; 8, is provided. fbr. frictionall-yf holding the shaft: |221A in; adjusted; p'osition,'in a mannerl similar tothe friction dise: |06. previously d'e' f scribed;.

The gearing connections. between thela'djust-y mentv knobi |04 and: the sleevee 85 are` such. that' one,l` completev rotation: of. theV knob: |045 effects ai. movement; of the. tenthsof; cents". gear 8|? a distance.-.correspondingA to ten of. the coaxial'. rows ofA teeth- 15 providedonthe cone. The gear ra.- tios between' the; manuali adjustment. knob. |25' and the sleeve are such. as. to causa` the. shiftingof the cents gear ||0 a. distance off'onlyf one'row of teeth'on the; cone; foreach complete' revolution of theadjustmentknob. Asindicated'. in- Fig; 1, each4 of the adjustmentknobslzll andiv |25=carries an indexarrow adaptedito. cooperate. with an indexarrowon a Vdial portio,n.10'of: the.- casing faceplate 1 10. rotatable index arrows4 into. alignment, the. op-v erator has a ready meansfforascertaining when a. complete revolution has,r been imparted: to, the. index knobs. The cents: gear |I0 is adaptedY for' engagement with each of thev fortyeseven. rows. of teeth upon the cone 55,` and iti will be: seen..

that this gearfis. brought successively into align.-

ment with the rows of cone` teeth, asLwhol'e rev-'- olutions are: imparted.. to thez adjustment knob |25.. The;k tenths of'A cents gear 8|. is. adaptedlv By bringing the;I4 iixed.

for cooperation with the bottom row of teeth upon the cone, and with each tenth row thereabove, comprising ten rows of engagement in all. The index arrows associated with the adjustment knob |04 will be brought into alignment at each of the ten operating stations or positions for the gear 8|. A door |28, associated with the main housing |0, and shown in open position in Figs. 1 and 2, normally overlies the adjustment knobs |04 and |25 and the lever handle 66a whereby to house and conceal these parts when not exposed for adjustment.

The means by which the rotational movements of the shafts 11 and 18 are combined to effect the operation of the cost register drive shaft 45 are best shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Shaft 18 has pinned to its upper end a bevel gear |30 adapted for meshing engagement with a bevel gear |3| xed to the lower end of a sleeve |32 journaled upon the cost register drive shaft 45. The upper end of this sleeve carries a spider |33 upon which a pair of planet gears |34 and |35 are rotatably mounted. Shaft 11 has pinned to its upper end a bevel gear |36 adapted for meshing engagement with a crown bevel gear |31 fixed to the lower end of a sleeve |38 journaled upon the sleeve |32. The upper end of this sleeve |33 carries gear teeth |39 arranged for meshing engagement with the planet gears |34 and |35. A crown or ring gear |40 also has meshing engagement with the planet gears |34 and |35, this ring gear being fixed to the cost register drive shaft 45 by suitable means, such as set screw |4l.

It will be seen that the planet gears |34 and |35, the gear |30, and the ring gear |40 constitute a planetary differential for combining the rotational movements of the gears |3| and |31, and transmitting the combined rotation to the output shaft 45 of the differential mechanism. It will further be seen that the rotational movements imparted by the shafts 11 and 18 tothe differential mechanism are subtractive rather than additive, the rotational movements imparted by the shaft 11 being subtracted from those imparted by the shaft 10, for any given direction of rotation of the drive cone 55. The gear ratios of the differential, and of the drive gears |30, |3| and |36, |31, are so arranged that a given rotation of the cents shaft 18 produces fty times the rotational effect upon the output drive shaft 45 as a rotation of the tenths of cents shaft 11. Accordingly, if the cents gear is in engagement with the lowermost row of teeth upon the cone, tending to calculate gasoline at a price of 50 cents per gallon, and the tenths of cents gear 8| is also in engagement with the lowermost row of teeth on the cone, a value of /10 or 1 cent will be subtracted, so that the calculation will actually be effected at 49 cents per gallon. If the gear 8| is raised upwardly ten rows of teeth, -196 of a cent will be subtracted from the 50 cent calculation, so that the gasoline will be calculated at a unit cost price of 49.1 cents per gallon. The indicators, later to be described, which are associated with the unit price adjustment mechanism, are calibrated in accordance with this arrangement. By arranging the gears in subtractive relation, both driven gears 8| and ||0 are always in engagement with the driving cone during operation of the apparatus, and being rotated thereby. Cost calculations may be made, in the embodiment illustrated, from 3 to 49.9 cents per gallon in increments of of a cent.

and arrangement are arranged for actuation `by end, shaft |41 is provided with a gear |48 meshing with and adapted to drive` a gear |49,'Figs. 17, 18 and 20, mounted upon one end, and adapted to drive a horizontal vindicator shaft |50. Shaft |50 at its opposite end carries a rotatable drum tenths of cents indicator |5|, the arrangement being such that as the tenths of cents adjustment knob |04 is actuated each complete revolution, a step of movement will be imparted, by means of the gearing connections described,`.to the indicator |5|. As best shown in Figs. 18, 20 and 21, shaft |50 is also provided with a. detent disc |52 adapted for cooperation with a spring detent |53, for accurately aligning the indicator in its various steps of movement.

Vertical shaft |41 also' extends upwardly through the gear |48 and at its upper end carries a bevel gear |55, Figs. 17 and 18, adapted to mesh with the bevel gear |56, fixed to one end of a shaft |51 extending horizontally and diagonally across the computer frame. The opposite end of shaft |51 carries a bevel gear |58 adapted to mesh with a bevel gear |59, Figs. 18

and 19, mounted upon a vertical shaft |60. This vertical shaft carries a gear |6| adapted to operate a gear |62 fixed upon and arranged to drive a horizontal indicator shaft |63 upon which a tenths of cents drum indicator |64 is mounted, corresponding to the indicator |5| previously described. It will be seen that as indicator |5| is operated, indicator |64 at the opposite side of the computer is correspondingly actuated. A positioning detent mechanism, similar to that shown in Fig. 21, is also preferably provided for the indicator |64, as shown. Due to the arrangement of the cents indicator, presently to be described, the indicator drum |5| and its associated window |66 is slightly lower than the indicator drum |64 and its associated window |66a.

The cents indicator is'in the form of a continuous tape |10, Figs. 18, 19 and 20, adapted to engage around a pair of sprocket drums I1| and |12, arranged for operation on vertical axes at opposite sides of the computer housing, as'V shown. The tape is provided with spaced perforations |13 along its edges, and the drums |1| and |12 are provided with projections |14 cooperable therewith, to insure prop-er engagement. The vertical shaft |15, upon which the drum |12 is mounted, is provided with a gear |16, Fig. 19, adapted to mesh with and be driven by a gear |11 carried at the upper end of a shaft |18, the lower end of which carries a bevel gear |19, Fig. 8, adapted to mesh with a bevel gear on the cents indicator adjustment shaft |24. It will be seen that as the indicator shaft |24 is adjusted, corresponding increments of movement will be imparted to the indicator tape |10, by means of the gearing connections described. A pair of engagement pins |63 and |84, Fig. 18, are carried on the ends of arms and |86, which arms arev independently7 pivoted upon the frame, as indicated at |81. A tension spring |68 urges the arms relatively toward each other, whereby to urge the pins |83 and |84 into engagement with the indicator tape and maintainit under proper tension. As best shown in Fig. 19,` thetape is provided with two sets of indications and |9I, for cooperation respectively with the win- .dows '|i66 and A1661i. A detent positioning 1device, as'iindicated at |52b 'in Fig. I2O, similar to .thezmechanism illustrated in Fig. 21, is Aassociated with .the `vertical indicator drum shaft |15, for :maintaining the tape in proper alignment at its various operative positions.

jIn operation, to leli'ect `a vprice adjustment, the 'leverlSBa .is first depressed, whereby to depress v.the cone 55, disengaging the -gears 8| and HB therefrom. Theadjustment knobs |04 and |25 may thereupon be readily manipulated, the op- .erator watching .the unit 'price indicators as the adjustments are made, whereby to effect there- .positioning of .the `gears -8| .and longitudinally ofthe shafts 4'|'| and-18 tothe proper preselected price :per gallon. The 'lever 56a may thereupon be raised, and upon rotation of the cone, .proper .intermeshing yengagement lwith the gears 28| .and 1.0 will .automatically be established. VAs the cone is rotatablydriven by the 'drive shaft 33, the .cents and tenths of cents computations .will be .made as previously described, the .proper combined output being transmitted to the-cost register drive shaft 45.

Therdispcsitionof vthe shafts and v'I8 atan angle .of '45", parallel to the operating working lsurface .of the cone, in combination with the adjustment means provided for .positioning the .gears 8| 'and HE), produces la compact improved operating structure. By means of the two drive shafts i7 and .1.8, computations may be made 'over .a wide preselected price range, as heretofore described. Price adjustments may be ef-l fected by ready manipulation -of the knobs |04 and |125, Vand the associated horizontal axis drum indicator :and vertical axis tape indicator cooperate with the adjustment means to provide a simplified and improved indicator structure.

It i-s contemplated that the cone 55 may comprise a :simple sheet metal stamping. Alterna tively, iit .is .contemplated .that it maybe formed by molding a suitable plastic material, Aand -of course itzmaycomprisea .metal casting. To facilitate the .close spacing of .the coaxial rows of teeth, it -Will be seen that the depressions are provided 'with cutaway vertically disposed surfaces a'la, whereby to Vfacilitate the close 'spacing of zt'herowscf teeth .while still permitting the fone to be vertically .depressed to disengage from `nodi-ment :is illustrated, wherein the periphery of the drivengear Ais .angularly bent as shown at ISS, to facilitate close spacing .of .the coaxial rows -.of.cone teeth or ,indentations |96. 'In Fig.

.l2-an embodimentis illustra-ted. wherein simple .perforations as indicated at |61, are provided in .the conemember. It .will thus be seen that the sheet metal ycone teeth may be variously formed.

In'Fig. 7 an embodiment is -illustrated wherein an interlock .is .provided between the adjustment knobs |||,4a and |2565, .corresponding to the adjustment knobs |4and .|25 previously described, and the cone depressing lever. .In this instance it twill ibe seen that the cone depressing lever, as indicated at 66h, and corresponding in vfunction Aand purpose to the cone depressing lever previously described, is provided with a pair of arms 2011. and k2&1 adapted to engage within slots formed 'in the adjustment knobs llla and |25@ when the depressing lever is raised and .if they adjustment knobs are in .proper rotational position. .T n the arrangement thus provided, it will be seen lthat the lever 66h cannot be raised to permit the cone `to lengage the cone driven gears 10 unless and until the 'adjustment' knobs are'in proper position to veffect the alignment lof the driven gears with Athe lcone teeth.

It is obviousthatvariouschangesmaybe made in the vspecific embodiments `set forth 4for purposes of illustration without udeparting Afrom the spirit of the invention. '"Ihe vinvention nis'ac'- cordingly not to 'be limited -to the precise -embodiments shownand described, :but only as Lindicated fin the following claims. .j

The invention is vhereby claimed Yas follows-z 1. A computing lmechanismcomprising Aa first operating member, a cone gearing structure in driving relation with said operating member, said cone gearing having Va plurality of different 'size rows of coaxial gear teeth, aplurality of 'shafts disposed in operative -juxtaposition to the cone gearing at an Iacute angle .in "respect "to `ythe axis of said cone gearing, each of said s'hafts`having 'a gear connected in driving relation therewith and adaptedto operatively engage 'the lconegearing, means for Vshifting the .cone gearing Aaxially to effect udisengagement between the cone gearing and said gears, differential Ymechanism connected in driving relation Ato said shafts, and ,a second operating member connected in driving relation 'to ,the differential mechanism.l e

2. A computing mechanism comprising a first operating member, agearing structure 'in driving relation with said operating membeig said gearing structure having a plurality of differentsize rows of coaxial gear teeth, 1a plurality of shafts disposed in operative juxtaposition Lto 'thewgearing structure, each of said shafts having a, .gear.con nectedin driving relation therewith and adapted to voperatively engage the gearing structure, means for shifting the gearing structure .and shafts relatively to `each other in a direction .extending axially of the gearing structure .to `elect operative disengagement .between .said gearing structure and` said gears, elongated vmeans mounted on each of `said shafts and movable axially of the'sha'fts for shiftingsaidgears axially of their respective shafts, .differential mech: anism connected in driving Arelation with said shafts, and a. second operating memberconnected in driving relation to the di'fferentialmechanism.

3. A computing mechanism `as defined in .claim 2 wherein said elongated means compriseanonrotatable Yscrew .threaded sleeve .mounted .on .and extending axially of said shafts.

,4. A computing mechanism comprising airst operating member, agearing s'tructurein driving relation with said .operatingmemben said gearing :structure havinga Aplurality of different size rows of coaxial gear teeth, a plurality of .shafts disposed in operative juxtaposition .to the ygearing structure, each of said shaftshaving agear thereon adapted to engage thegearing structure for operative driving relation therewith, means comprising a plurality of handle Vmembers rotatable upon fixed axes for shifting saidgears axially of their respective shafts, means for shiftingthe gearsand said gearing structure relatively to each other in a direction extending axially of the gearing structure to disengage the gears therefrom, differential mechanism connected in driving relation with said shafts, and a second operating memberconnectedin driving relation to the differential mechanism.

5. A computing mechanism vcomprising a .first operating member, a gearing structure in driving relation with said operating member, said gearing structure having la plurality vof .differentsize rows of coaxial gear teeth, a. plurality of shafts disposed in operative juxtaposition to the gearing structure, each of said shafts being parallel to the working surface of the gearing structure and having a gear connected in driving relation therewith adapted to operatively engage the gearing structure, means comprising a plurality of handle members rotatable upon parallel fixed axes for shifting said gears axially of their respective shafts, differential mechanism connected in driving relation with said shafts, and a second operating member connected in driving relation to the differential-mechanism.

6. A computing mechanism comprising a first operating member, a gearing structure in driving relation with said operating member, said gearing structure having a plurality of different size rows of coaxial gear teeth, a plurality of shafts disposed in operative juxtaposition to the gearing structure, each of said shafts having a gear operatively connected therewith adapted to operatively engage the gearing structure, means for shifting the gearing structure and shafts relatively to eachother in a direction extending axially of the gearing structure to effect disengagement between said gearing structure and said gears, means comprising a plurality1 of handle members rotatable upon fixed axes for shifting said gears axially of their respective shafts, differential mechanism connected in driving relation with said shafts, and a second operating member connected -in driving relation to the differential mechanism.

7. A computing mechanism as defined in claim 6, wherein interlock means is provided between the handle members and the means for shifting the shafts and gearing structure relatively axially of the gearing structure, whereby said latter means may not be operated in one direction except when said handle members are in predetermined positions.

8. A computing mechanism as defined in claim 4, wherein said plurality of shafts are two in number, one of said shafts being a cents shaft the gear of which is engageable with consecutive rows of teeth of the gearing structure, and the other of said shafts being a tenths of cents shaft the gear of which is engageable with spaced rows of teeth of the gearing structure.

9. A computing mechanism comprising a first operating member, a gearing structure in driving relation with said operating member, said gearing structure having a plurality of different size rows of coaxial gear teeth, a plurality of shafts disposed in operative juxtaposition to the gearing structure, each of said shafts being parallel with the operating surface o-f the gearing structure and having a gear connected therewith adapted to operatively engage the gearing structure, means comprising a plurality of handle members for shifting said gears axially of their respective shafts, rotatable indicator means connected to each handle member for indicating the position thereof, differential mechanism connected in driving relation with said shafts, and a second operating member connected, in driving relation to the differential mechanism.

10. A computing mechanism comprising a first operating member, a gearing structure in driving relation with said operating member, said gearing structure having a plurality of different size rows of coaxial gear teeth, a plurality of shafts disposed in operative juxtaposition to the gearing structure, each of said shafts having a gear connected therewith adapted to operatively engage the gearing structure, means for shifting the 12 gearing structure and shafts relatively to each other in a direction extending axially o-f the gearing structure to effect disengagement between said gearing structure and said gears, means comprising a plurality of handle members for shifting said gears axially of their respective shafts, rotatable indicator means for indicating the position of said handle members, differential mechanism connected in driving relation with said shafts, and a second operating member connected in driving relation to the differential mechanism.

11. `A computing mechanism comprising a rst operating member, a gearing structure in driving relation with said operating member, said gearing structure having a plurality of different size rows of coaxial gear teeth, a plurality of shafts disposed in operative juxtaposition to the gearing structure, each 0f said shafts having a gear connected therewith and adapted to operatively engage the gearing structure, means comprising a plurality of rotatable handle members operable on fixed axes for shifting said gears 'axially of their respective shafts, each of said handle members being rotatable the same amount to effect a unit shifting of the gear controlled thereby, differential mechanism connected in driving relation with said shafts in a speed ratio of at least ten to one, and a second operating member connected in driving relation with the differential mechanism.

12. A computing mechanism comprising a first operating member, a gearing structure in driving relation with said operating member, said gearing structure having a plurality of different size rows 0f coaxial gear teeth, a plurality of shafts disposed in operative juxtaposition to the gearing structure, each of said shafts having a gear connected therewith adapted to operatively engage the gearing structure, means comprising a plurality of handle members operable upon fixed axes for shifting said gears axially of their respective shafts, rotatable indicator members operable upon different axes disposed relatively angularly to each other for indicating the position of engagement between said gears and said gearing structure, differential mechanism connected in driving relation with said shafts, and a second operating member connected in driving relation with the differential mechanism.

13. A computing mechanism as defined in claim 12, wherein said rotatable indicator members are operable respectively within vertical and horizontal planes.

14. A computing mechanism comprising a first operating member, a gearing structure in driving relation with said operating member, said gearing structure having a plurality of different size rows of coaxial gear teeth, a plurality of shafts disposed in operative juxtaposition to the gearing structure, each of said shafts having a gear connected therewith adapted to operatively engage the gearing structure, means for shifting the gears axially of their respective shafts, indicating members comprising a tape member and rotatable drum indicator means for indicating the position of engagement between said gears and said gearing structure, differential mechanism connected in driving relation with said shafts in a speed ratio of at least ten to one, and a second operating member connected in driving relation with the differenti-al mechanism.

15. A computing mechanism as defined in claim la, wherein a plurality of window structures are provided in association with said indicators, said tape being extended into operative juxtaposition to said p-lurality of Windows.

16. A computing mechanism as dened in claim 15, wherein said plurality of shafts are two in number, one of said shafts being a cents shaft, and the other oi said shafts being a tenths of cents shaft.

17. A computing mechanism comprising a rst operating member, ya cone gearing structure in driving relation with said operating member, said cone gearing having a plurality of different size rows of coaxial gear teeth, a plurality of shafts disposed in operative juxtaposition to the cone gearing, each of said shafts being disposed in parallel relationship to the Working surface of the cone gearing structure and having .a gear connected therewith adapted to operatively engage the cone gearing structure, the teeth of said cone gearing `and said gears being shaped to facilitate relative shifting of the gears and gearing relatively to each other in a direction extending axially of the gearing, means for shifting said gears .axially of their respective shafts, planetary diierential mechanism connected in driving 14 relation with .said shafts, and a second operating member connected in driving relation with the differential mechanism. K

RICHARD R. TREXLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 762,062 Judd June 7, 1904 890,870 Reed June 16, 1908 1,606,869 Christopher Nov. 16, 1926 1,662,638 Veber Mar. 13, 1928 1,967,559 Schreck July 24, 1934 2,111,996 Slye Mar. 22, 1938 2,145,843 Maxson Jan. 31, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 16,792 Great Britain July 25, 1906 149,458 Austria Dec. 15, 1936 842,413 France June 12, 1939 

